Renewed zeitgeist

TV debates and the media draw accusations of bias from both ‘sides’; you-know-who today referred to himself as ‘Winston Peters’, and ever more language silliness surfaces, a la J-mania, J-erella, J-geddon.

A government which for nine years dismisses numerous problems finds last minute remedial largesse. What, no fiscal holes?

TV debates - infotainment or information? Mike Hosking, Rightist cheerleader, sent a surprising opening salvo to the PM. ‘‘Why are you losing?’’. Gulp! Bill English held his smile.

Then again, when the Labour leader stated her personal values underpinned her politics the PM scoffed - surprising from a faithful Catholic said to embrace social justice values as expressed by Jesus - ‘‘feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless.’’

Political ideology has a shelflife. Karl Marx’s 1848 Manifesto terrified power-holders.

His ‘‘The church is the opium of the people’’ outraged aristocracy and church alike.

The latter’s response was to pacify its voiceless faithful by insisting that stoic prayer ensured later heavenly reward. Eventually Marxism destroyed itself. Lefties have moved on.

Is generational change always to be feared? Sir Geoffrey Palmer on TV with other ex-PMs for a book launch dismissively scowled ‘‘Politics today is all about personality and celebrity!’’

Grumpy Geoffrey, Gareth? We older people have had decades to embed New Zealand’s fairness values. Not achieved.

We’re told that 65 per cent of voters support the same party lifelong.

Maybe being part of a renewed zeitgeist is a good option. Shirley Knuckey

New Plymouth